Archive for month: October, 2017

The Alzheimer’s Reading Room has been researching a new activity for older adults struggling with dementia. The activity is called BikeAround and it uses stationary bikes and Google Street View to give the elderly a chance to explore safely – perhaps even revisiting places long forgotten. Location triggers alot of memories so the hope is that giving dementia patients a chance to “go back” to old homes and locations can improve their interactions and healthy living.

Key Takeaways:

• BikeAround is a device which incorporates a stationary bike in combination with Google Street View to give dementia patients a nostalgic ride down familiar streets.
• Studies have shown that our most intense memories are linked to locations.
• Scientists believe that when physical and mental stimulation are combined it creates dopamine in the brain which can affect memory management.

“I like this because it gives the dementia patient a real experience; and, I believe this would help patients to become calmer and easier to deal with. Any activity that a person living with dementia engages in usually leads to better behavior.”

Read more: http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2017/09/google-street-view-helps-dementia-patients-to-ride-down-memory-lane.html

As individuals increase in their age and maturity levels, and begin to enter their senior years, it has been commonly found that they develop signs and symptoms of depression in their behaviors. However, although this has become commonplace, recent studies claim that this is not necessarily the norm. Rather, depression has been found to be an easily and effectively avoidable issue in the old age, if certain best practices are implemented by the individuals and their families around them.

Key Takeaways:

• Depression is a health problem that can be treated like other health problems. It is not a normal part of the ageing process.
• You should talk openly with people who are experiencing depression.
• A lot of employees at assisted living facilities are not properly trained to deal with depression in their patients.

“Mental illness has long been a taboo topic in our society—but even more so when it comes to older adults. While ageism influences many to assume it’s just “normal” to be sad when we get closer to end of life, the truth remains that depression has become one of the greatest preventable epidemics to hit the aging population.”

Read more: https://changingaging.org/culture-change/depression-aging-time-stop-madness/

These are some questions people often have about financing senior living. How can I pay for senior living? You can take out bridge loans, rent your seniors home that they will be leaving, or check out assistance programs if they are a veteran. How much does it cost? The countrywide average was $3,628 per month. Does Medicare pay for senior living? No, it does not pay for it. Can you use life insurance to pay for it? You would have to take a “life settlement” which has some pros and cons.

Key Takeaways:

• When looking into senior living it is good to know that their are several loan options that are available
• Seniors who own their homes can rent out their homes and use those monthly payments to finance their senior living needs
• When considering senior living it is good to be aware that you don’t have to pay for services you don’t need which

“If you’re like most families, you and your senior loved one have lots of questions about paying for senior living.”

Read more: https://www.sunriseseniorliving.com/blog/september-2017/answering-the-most-common-questions-families-have-about-financing-senior-living.aspx

Senior citizens are uniquely vulnerable to cold temperatures, as the human body’s capacity to sustain internal warmth gradually weakens with age. However, thanks to a recent scientific breakthrough, there is new hope that things might soon change. Scientists found that L-carnitine, a dietary supplement known to boost levels of the lipid acylcarnitine, helped aging mice retain bodily warmth even as external temperatures grew cooler. Scientists believe a direct link exists between the amount of acylcarnitines flowing through a body and the body’s ability to self-warm.

Key Takeaways:

• Using a supplement that can increase the amount of brown fat in older adults is key to helping them adapt to the cold
• Seeing the increase in the lipid acyl carnitines in the research done in this instance is seen as a heathy response
• The use of brown fats that are activated by the supplement acyl carnitines is a step in the right direction for preventing hypothermia in older adults

“Older adults are known to be more sensitive to the cold, and new research has found that a nutritional supplement called L-carnitine might one day be used as a way to jump-start the body’s central heating.”

Read more: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319291.php

As people’s bodies grow older, it can become harder and harder for them to maintain their balance. However, if an elderly loved one is having an unusually difficult time keeping themselves stable on their feet, then it’s worth investigating whether something more than just the aging process is at play. Common balance related problems include vertigo, Ménière’s Disease, Labyrinthitis, various chronic illnesses, and Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. For any of these, symptoms are likely to include strange feelings in the ear.

Key Takeaways:

• Hearing loss can affect balance and increase the risk of falls.
• Falls happen to one of three older Americans each year and remain a leading cause of disability among seniors.
• If balance problems persist, it is important to take a hard look at the senior’s home environment.

“Weakened muscles or poor vision can compromise our ability to remain steady on our feet. As can some medications. But the natural aging process doesn’t have to mean you’re constantly on the brink of falling.”

Read more: https://www.sunriseseniorliving.com/blog/september-2017/5-most-common-balance-problems-seniors-experience.aspx